Development of One’s Personality
The men taken prisoner in the Battle of Badr were the Prophet’s bitterest enemies, but still his treatment of them was impeccable. One of these prisoners was a man by the name of Suhayl ibn Amr. A fiery speaker, he used to denounce the Prophet virulently in public to incite people against him and his mission. Umar ibn al-Khattab suggested that two of his lower teeth be pulled out to dampen his oratorical zeal. The Prophet was shocked by Umar’s suggestion. “God would disfigure me for this on the Day of Judgment, even though I am His messenger,” he said to Umar. (Sirat Ibn Hisham, vol. 1, p. 649)
This is what is meant by the world being a planting-ground for the Hereafter. One who realizes this fact lives a life oriented towards the Hereafter – a life in which all efforts are aimed at achieving success in the next, eternal world; a life in which real value is attached – not to this ephemeral world – but to the life beyond death. One becomes aware that this world is not the final destination; it is only a road towards the destination, a starting-point of preparation for the future life. Just as every action of a worldly person is performed with worldly interests in mind, so every action of God’s faithful servant is focused on the Hereafter. Their reactions to every situation in life reflect this attitude of looking at every matter in the perspective of the life after death, and of how it will affect their interests in the next world. Whether it be an occasion of happiness or sorrow, success or failure, domination or depression, praise or condemnation, love or anger – in every state they are guided by accountability to God and thoughts of the Hereafter.
The goal that Islam gives to a person is to develop his or her personality in such a way that he or she can find entry to the eternal noble world of Paradise in the Hereafter. The present world is temporary and meant as a test. Every situation, experience and circumstance comes to test our response to it. Our positive response elevates our character, while a negative response debases our character. This process is known as purification of the soul. According to the Quran, it is a purified and positively-developed soul that will be competent for being settled in the sublime society of Paradise. (20:76)
